Mine clearing snake



May 18, 1965 J. L. BlscH MINE CLEARING SNKE 9 Sheets-Sheet l James LFiled July l5 May 18, 1965 J. L. alscH MINE CLEARINGv SNAKE 9Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July l5, 1952 `IN V EN TOR.

i* cames L. wcih ATTDRN EYS May 18, 1965 J. l.. BiscH MINE CLEARINGSNAKE 9 Sheets-Sheetf 3 Filed July l5, 1952 A WVENTOR. .lm/esl. zsoh May18, 1965 .J. L. BlscH MINE CLEARING SNAKE 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Julyl5, 1952 JNVENTOR. Jm es L. Bwoz ATTORNEYS May 18,1965

J. L. BxscH 3,183,835

MINE CLEARING SNAKE Filed July l5, 1952 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 y, INVENToR. s,JamesLBzsch www May 18, 1965 J. L. BlscH 3,1835835 MINE CLEARING SNAKEmed July 15, 1952 9 sheets-sheet e Wfl/ffm :zy l INVENTOR.

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ATTE RN EY5 May 18, 1965 .1.L. BlscH 3,183,835

MINE CLEARING SNAKE Filed July l5, 1952 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 PLA TE'S mld/LMld? 1 6 ROCKET M01/N T l N H 52g N N INVE'NTOR. James L. Ewch May 18,1965 Filed July l5, 1952 J. L, BISCH MINE CLEARING SNAKE 9 Sheets-Sheet8 INVENToR. James Z2 .Bz/.S072

ATTDRN EYS May 18, 1965 J. L. BlscH MINE CLEARING SNAKE 9 Sheets-Sheet 9Filed July l5, 1952 INVENTOR.

Jmes I.. Bch BY /Z/ j?? United States Patent O 3,183,835 CLEARING SNAKEJames L. Bisch, Valencia, Pa., assigner to the United States of Americaas represented by the Secretary of the Army Filed July 15, 1952, Ser.No. 299,060 Claims. (Cl. 102-19) (Granted under Title 35, U.S. Code(1952), sec. 266) The invention described herein may be manufactured andused by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without paymentto me of any royalty thereon.

The present invention relates generally to a self-pro pelled, primarilymilitary, explosive device, which is intended for the clearance ofotherwise inaccessible, or diiculty accessible, obstacles; and, moreparticularly, the invention provides certain improvements in a so-calledsnake demolition torpedo comprising an elongated container for receivingand mounting explosive cartridges adapted to be self-propelled into minefields or other obstacles, and there detonated to clear a path foradvancing troops.

It is frequently necessary to the prosecution of military operations toadvance troops through enemy mine fields and barbed wire entanglements.To accomplish this maneuver, many devices have been proposed and used,and with the use of each new device the enemy has countered with newanti-demolition means until at present the most effective mine lield isone which is covered from a distance by a platoon of riflemen whose dutyit is to prevent an opponent from sending a forward echelon to clear themine eld in order that the main body of troops may pass safely through.

In the past, to clear a mine field effectively the actual presence oftroops had been required; and, as shown in United States Patent No.2,509,205, protection was given to such personnel by the utilization oftanks to tow a snake demolition torpedo to the mine field; and fromthere it was pushed forward into the dangerous area, and the devicetired. The disadvantages of this means of clearing a mine lield areobvious and were obvious at the time of the tiling of theabove-mentioned patent, but no actually effective means for overcomingall the disadvantages had been proposed at that time.

The present invention provides certain improvements in this type ofmilitary explosive device wherein existent disadvantages are eliminatedby the present invention.

One object of this invention is to provide a self-propelled, elongatedcharge, specially adapted for mine clearing or the clearance ofinaccessible objects.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the classdescribed, which may be readily transported to a position in proximityto the lield to be cleared, where it is quickly assembled andself-propelled to the desired position in the iield and detonatedwithout danger to the operating personnel.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a mine clearingdevice which is economical in construction, simple in operation andcomposed of parts which may easily be transported in knocked-down ordisassembled condition to an operational base, and there quicklyassembled for tiring.

Objects and advantages other than those above set forth will be apparentfrom the following description when read in connection with theaccompanying drawings; and the features of novelty will be pointed outin particularity in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings in which like parts are indicated by likereference characters:

FIGS. l and la, taken together, form a side elevation of the improvedself-propelled explosive device of the 3,l83,35 Patented May 18, 1965ICC present invention, FIG. 1 being a side elevation of the rearportion, and FIG. la being a side elevation of the front portionthereof;

FIGS. 2 and 2a, taken together, form a plan view of the improved torpedoshown in FIGS. l and la, FIG. 2 being a plan view of FIG. l and FIG. 2abeing a plan view of FIG. la;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the arrangement of the topand bottomplates of the body of the torpedo;

FIG. 4 is a sectionalized elevation of a portion of the body of thetorpedo, the section being taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a partially sectionali'zed view, the section being taken alongthe line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a sectionalized elevation of the forward portion of the bodyof the torpedo, the section being taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 2a;

FIG. 7 is a sectionalized view of the forward portion of the body of thetorpedo, the section being taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 2a;

FIG. 8 is a sectionalized elevation of a portion of the rear if thetorpedo, the section being taken along line S-8 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a sectionalized plan view of the rear portion of the torpedo;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the rear portion of the torpedo withpart of the protective hood cut away for clarity;

FIG. 1l is a perspective view of the detonating cord shown in FIG. 10,showing its attachment to the cartridges;

FIG. 12 is .a transverse vertical section taken along line i12-12 ofFIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is a partially sectionalized view showing details of the firingmechanism of FIG. l2;

FIG. 14 is a partially sectionalized View showing in detail the blastingcap mechanism of FIG. 13;

FIG. l5 is a perspective view of the rear portion of the body of thetorpedo, a portion of the upper plate being lttlit away to disclose theposition of the cartridge securing ook;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the torpedo taken along line 16-16of FIG. 8;

fFIG. 17 is a cross-sectional View of the torpedo taken along line 17-17of FIG. la;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the torpedo along line 18-18 ofFIG. la;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing one method of connecting theoverlapping plates, as shown diagrammatically by FIG. 3;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the forward portion of another form ofthe torpedo;

FIG. 211 shows the arrangement of the tiring mechanism as shown in FIG.20;

FIG. 22 is a perspective View of the rear end of the modi-lied torpedoshown in FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a plan view partly in horizontal section of the detonatingassembly as shown in lFIG. 22;

FIG. y24 is a detailed section taken along line 24x-24 of FIG. 23

FIG. 25 is a ydetailed section taken along line 25-25 of FIG. 22;

FIG. 216 is a perspective View showing a manner of packing the improvedsnake torpedo in knocked-down or disassembled condition fortransportation thereof to an operational locale;

FIG. 27 is a top plan View of the assembly of FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 isa fragmentary section showing certain details of the means forfastening the cartridge container for the improved `snake torpedo in thetransporting box as completely shown in FIGS. 26 and `27;

FIG. 29 is a longitudinal section of the cartridge container portion ofthe assembly of FIGS. 27 and 28, showing details;

FIG. 30 is a fragmentary, transverse, vertical view of the cartridgecontainer in place taken along line 30-30 in FIG. 27;

FIG. 31 is an end elevation of the packaging case of FIGS. 26 and 27;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the cartridge bag shown in FIG. 33 withthe cover thereof in open position;

FIG. 33 is a perspective View `of the cartridge bag in carrying positionand removed from the assembly of FIGS. l26 and 27;

FIG. 34 is a sectionalized elevation of a portion of the 4detonatingassembly Idisclosing the method of packing same for incorporation in theassembly of FIGS. 26 and 27; y FIG. 35 is a sectionalized eleva-tion ofthe base portion of the detonating assembly shown in FIG. 34 disclosingthe method of packing same .in the assembly of FIGS. 26 and 27, the viewbeing readable in conjunction with FIG. 34;

FIG. 36 is a bottom plan View of the packing block shown in FIG. 34;

FIG. 37 is a side eleva-tion of the packing block as shown in FIG. 36;

FIG. 38 is an end view of the block looking in the direction of the-arrow a of FIG. 37; land FIG. 39 is an end view of the packing blocklooking in the direction of the arrow b of IF-IG. 37.

Briefly stated, the snake demolition torpedo of the present inventioncomprises an elongated container composed of interconnected segmentsformed of either longitudinally bent strips of steel or long steel tubeswhich serve as retaining housings for demolition cartridges, the torpedobeing transported snugly packed in a suitable receptacle to an .assemblystation approximating an intended location of use, propelled from theassembly station by self-propelling mechanism mounted on the torpedocontainer, for example a rocket motor, into operative position on themine field to be detonated, and the demolition cartridges detonated.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, (FIGS. l to 4, inclusive)the body of the snake torpedo embodying the present improvement iscomposed of a plurality of interconnected segments, each segment beingformed of interconnected upper and |lower steel `strips 10 and 10',corrugated longitudinally so that a cross-section taken anywhere throughits length has the form of the letter W. The body of the snake torpedois constructed by bolting the strips and 10 together centrally so as toprovide parallel channels on either side of the central web of the-corrugations The strips 10 and 10 are united separably by bolts 12which are spaced substantially equidistantly along the body of thesua-ke, but sufliciently close together to secure the strips in tightlyassembled relation. The parallel channels or courses are indicated at14, the lstrips 10 and 10 being -assembled in both end and sideoverlapping relation, as indicated at 11, the resulting elongated snakebody being composed of a ser-ies of successive segments lin which theparallel channels or courses 14 are in Vcontinuous registration forreceiving explosive cartridges 16 and cartridge securing blocks l18,18', one of which blocks is loca-ted adjacent to the rear end of thesnake torpedo, the other of which is located adjacent to the for- Ywardend of the body of the snake torpedo. By joining together a requisitenumber of the strips 10 and 10 in proper relationship, the body of thesnake can be built upV into whatever length may be suitable for thedesired purpose. Y

The body of the snake :is sho-wn as beingprovided at its `forward endwith a nose assembly 20, (FIGS. la, 2a, 6 and'7) which comprises achannel-shaped yoke 22 which bridges the top plates 10 and is boltedthereto along the intermediate web, between the channels 14, 14', as isindicated at 24. Another channel 26 is secured lto the channel yoke 22`and projects forwardly of the body of the snake, this vforwardlyextending channel being secured to an upturned end porti-on 28 of abottom skid plate 30, which is held by certain of the bolts 24. Thechannel yoke 22 serves as the mounting for the propulsion unit (rocketmotor) 32 mounted in the channel yoke 22 adjacent to a stop plate 34.and held by clamps 36. All parts of the structure may be disassembledreadily for transportation to the location of use.

4The detonating mechani-sm is mounted on the rear portion of the snakebody, (FIGS. l, 2 and 3) it being enclosed in a hood 40, secured to theplates 10 by certain of the bolts 12 which pass through a base plate 42that carries the hood `40. The detonating mechanism includes a ilexiblecable 44 of a suitable length Wound into a supply coil enclosed in -adispensing chamber 44,'the rear end of the cable 44 being looped over apin or stake 45 driven into the ground, so that this end of the cablewill be restrained against movement as the snake is projected to itstarget, the cable being of a length corresponding to the distance oftravel of the snake. The forward end of the cable 44 is attached to atiring wire 46 which extends through one end of a tiring pin 48mountedwithin the housing 50 vand `into a guide sleeve 49 Within themain hood 40. The housing 5t) (FIGS. 8, 9 and l0) with associated partshereinafter mentioned in greater detail, provides mounting means for a`tiring pin 48, which extends through the bottom end of the housing Sit.A coil spring 52 is inserted around the tiring pin 48 between andabutting the head thereof and the lower end of the housing 50, So as -tosupport the tiring pin 48 in elevatedposition against an arming pin 53.The upper end of the housing 50 is closed by a screw plug 54. The plug54 contains a fuse lighter 56 at one end.- Connected to the plug 54adjacent to the fuse lighter is ,a blasting cap 58, to which are securedby friction tape 6b, two strands of detonating cords 62, which aresecured to the explosive cartridges by means of friction tape.

In FIGS. 26 and 22, there is shown a somewhat moditied form of thepresent improved torpedo, in which the nose portion is a modified hullform adapted to travel over land or water. In this embodiment, twosimilar rocket motors 70 and 70 are secured by clam-ping means 72. Therockets are adapted to be fired by a ring device, which is secured tothe jet ends 74 and 74 of the rockets, at a point remote therefrom, by alanyard 76 with the double friction type firing wires 78'and 7 8 shownin FIG. 2l, which are inserted Within the firing pins 80 and 8G tolighter fuses 84 and 84 and blasting caps 86 and 86 which extend to apoint adjacent to the rocket propellent fuel.

The hull is rigidly attached to the body of the snake. The ytiringmechanism is assembled within the body of the snake adjacent to the rearend of the last cartridges. The iin'ng mechanism comprises a doublefir-ing assembly, the individual tiring devices being similar to thesingle firing device as disclosed above, and are held in an operativeposition by means of a base plate secured to the bottom plates 10 by thebolt assembly 184. The base plate 180 holds the lining pins inalignment, =whereby a single firing wire 186 may be utilized `inconjunction with a coil of wire 188 contained in a dispenser 190 toactuate the firing assembly. The dispenser is contained `within the Ybody of the snake by clamp 192 bolted to the base plate 10 by the bolt194.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the snake torpedo of thepresent construction comprises an elongated sectionalV container formedof either longitudinally corrugated strips of steel or long steel tubeswhich serve as retaining housings for demolition cartridges, and whichmay be carried by a combat team to an intended locality of operation, inan unassembled form, where the torpedo is quickly assembled andthenself-propelled into the area of operation, and the charges explodedby suitable me-Y chanical means after the snake has traveled apredetermined distance on a selected course. In order to stabilize thesnake during its course of travel, stabilizing fins 193 may be mounted`on the rear of the body or on the housing of the rocket motor, andinstead of the tiring mechanism above-described, or as supplementsthereto, the explosive charges may be fired by contact or time fusesadapted to detonate the charges upon contact with the target area orafter expii-ation of a predetermined time.

The disassembled snake torpedo is packed in a packaging box as shown inFIG. 26. The sides 90 and 90 of the packaging box are substantiallylonger than the ends 92 and 92', the length thereof being controlled bythe length lof the channel yoke 22 centrally located and secured to thebottom of the box. A partition 1112 divides the box longitudinally, andto this partition is attached the skid nose adjacent tothe rocketchannel yoke. The space defined by the side 90 and the partition 102receives the top and bottom plates 10 and 19', which form the elongatedbody of the snake torpedo. Adjacent to the said plates is the skid nosestrut' 26. These elements are secured in place by guides 193 andcrossbar 105 to which the skid nose strut 26 is securely attached bybolt 126. Abutting the end of the skid nose strut are the detonatormechanism plate and hood 49 which are secured to the bottom of thepackaging box. Attached to t-he side 90' by clips 122 is a tube 106containing towing lines. ln the space defined by the partitions 104,108, 90 and 92 is a moisture-proof metal container 110 which containsthe explosive bags 1112 as shown in FIGS. 26, 27, 32 and 33 containingthe cartridges 16. This container is securely fastened to the partition104, as shown in FIG. 28, by screws 124. Abutting partition 10S is aspace defined by the partitions 114, 108 and 116 Which space is lledwith a container .118 which hold-s the nuts and bolts used in assemblingthe snake torpedo.

The sides, bottom and top of the moisture-proof container 11tlare formedof a continuous sheet of metal. rlhe ends 130 vand 130 of the containerv116 are sealed Within the .sides and the bottom of the container bymeans of a plastic sealing compound applied to the flanges 132 of thesaid ends which in tur-n are inserted within a lretaining ri-ng V1134rigidly secured and sealed with the plastic sealing compound to thesides and bottom as shown in FIG. 29. The side 136 at the upper end isbent forwardly to provide a flange 1.38 which, when in place, willoverlap the partition 164. When the explosive cartridges contained inthe cartridge bags have been placed within the container, the top 144)is sealed by placing a gasket 142 between the ange 133 and top 140 Vandtightly securing the same together lby rivets 144 as shown in FIG. 30.

The detonating mechanism is packed within the housing therefor as shownin FIG. 34. The block 150 is secured within the top of the hood by meansof a bolt 152 extending through the hood, the block 156 being providedwith a hole 160 for receiving the bolt 152, and a flange 154 serving asa retaining abutment for this block and also for nut 155 on the bolt152. The block is provided at one end .with passages designed to receivethe fuse lighter at 156 for the rocket motor 32 and the firing deviceadapter and cap as indicated at 158 in FIGS. 36 and 38, and at the otherend the block is provided with passages designed to receive the tippedends of the detonating cords 62. The cords are clamped to the block 154)by means of the clamping block 161 by a bolt 162. At the bottom of theblock there is positioned ina well 164 provided therefor, a roll of tape166 being held in place by a clamp plate 168 secured to the block 15) bythe bolt 170.

In operation, the snake is carried within the snake packing box to aposition in close proximity to the iield of operation or to a goodassembly point. The primary characteristic of a good assembly point isone which has good concealment from the enemy, and especially onepresenting a deladc from enemy small arms iire. It

should be as close as possible to the mine field and in such a locationthat the snake can be towed from the assembly point to within range lofthe mine field without making sharp turns, going through heavy bush, orover very rough ground. Approximately feet of level ground is requiredfor quick assembly. For the assemblage of the snake, all component partsare removed from `the snake packing box and laid out near the middle ofthe assembly area. A suitable number, for instance, twentyiive, ofcorrugated sheets 1li for the bottom of the snake are counted out andstacked separately from the top sheets 10. Working from the tail to thefront of the snake, the sheets are laid with a one-bolt hole underlap. Abolt 12 and a washer 13 are inserted up through the underlap bolt holes15 and a washer placed on the bolt, together with a wing nut 17 which isscrewed on the bolt with only one or two turns. The washers must beplaced to fit the corrugations at this time. The cartridge-securingblock 18 is then placed at the tail end of the snake so that the hole 19in the block is above the last bolt hole 15 in the snake. Starting atthe cartridge-securing block 18 and working toward the nose plate, theexplosive cartridges 16 are placed in both corrugations 14 of thesheets, the cartridges abutting each other end to end. A secondcartridge-securing block 18' is placed in a position whereby a hole 19in the block is above the foremost bolt hole in the foremost bottomsheet 10. The wood block 15d is then unbolted from the hood 40 and thetwo blasting caps 2de crimped on 18-inch lengths of detonating cord 62,the roll of friction tape 166, the firing device plug 54 with blastingcap 58 crimped on the tip, and the rocket motor Waterproof fuse lighter2G() are removed therefrom.

The rear top sheet 10 is placed on the end of the snake so that a sightopening 196 (FIG. l2) is adjacent the tail end of the body of the snaketo afford access to the two cartridges 16 as clearly shown in FIGS. 9,10 and 11. These two cartridges are removed and holes are punched in theside of each wit-h the cap crimpers to receive the blasting caps. A capis inserted in each hole and held in place by taping, as indicated at198, about two inches of the detonating cords 62 being secured to thecartridges. The two cartridges then are replaced in the snake, with thedetonating cords 62 passing through the hole 196 in the rear top sheet.The detonating mechanism base 42 then is placed on the rear sheet 10 sothat the rear bolt hole 25@ lines up with the rearmost snake bolt hole15. A protective plug 55 as shown in FIG. 35 then is removed from themodified fuse lighter located on the detonating mechanism base, and thering device base 54 with cap 53 crimped on tip is screwed thereon. Theends of the two strands of detonating cord are taped to the cap 5S onthe fuse lighter. The hood 46 is placed over the base and bolted to thesnake. The waterand weatherproof fuse lighter 29) for igniting therocket motor, which is also packed in the block is retained in thepossession of the operator for future use. The cover sheets then areplaced on the snake, starting at the tail, with three bolthole overlap.The bolts previously fastened to the bottom sheets are removed andreinserted through 4the snake. With this arrangement, forty-eightcorrugated sheets are needed for the cover, in addition to thoserequired for the rear top sheet. The rocket motor is removed from itsmount and the nose strut is placed within the mount and bolted togetherat the foremost motor mount bolt hole. The motor mount and skid arebolted to the snake. The forward end of the nose strut is bolted to theforward end of the skid nose and the rocket motor clamped on the rocketmotor mount with the front of the motor abutting against the stop plate.

When the assembled snake is ready for use, towing lines are fastenedunder the Wing nuts near the nose of thc snake. As an alternate method,the snake may be towed by a length of rope passed between the nose strutand skid nose. The snake is then towed within range of the mine ansa-m35field, the tow lines removed from the snake, and the weatherproof fuselighter attached to the time fuse .projecting from the nozzle of therocket motor. The rear end of the firing cable is secured to the groundbehind the tail end of the snake and the arming pin removed from thehousingSt) contained in hood 4t). The fuse lighter is actuated and therocket motor is fired within a predetermined time thereafter, propellingthe snake into the mine field. When the wire is fully dispensed from thedispenser 44', the firing wire is pulled from the firing pin 48 therebydetonating the snake.

The modified form of the snake is to be assembled some distance in therear of the proposed operation site and towed into final position with atank or armored car. Upon arrival at the final position, the operatorestimates the range and adjusts the length of the measuring cable in thedispenser to conform to the desired range. When the cable is adjusted tothe desired length, it is securely fastened to a stake in rear of thesnake. The lanyard is then attached to the rocket igniter pins. A strongjerk on the lanyard actuates the rocket igniters and launches the snake.The measuring cable pays out of the dispenser .and the snake isdetonated at the predetermined distance.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and wish tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. An explosive mine clearing snake comprising, in combination, anelongated container for explosive charges, the container being composedof upper and lower longitudinally corrugated segments opposing eachother with corresponding channels in oppositely directed registry andeach segment including a plurality of corrugated sections unitedserially in end-to-end relation, the said channels in the unitedsections defining explosive-retaining channels, explosive charges in thechannels, self-propulsion means for the snake mounted on the containerforwardly thereof, means for energizing the propulsion means, a firing-assembly mounted on the container rearwardly thereof and includingdetonating means for the explosive charges, an anchor device, and a pullcable connected to the detonating means for the explosive charges and tothe anchoring device for firing the explosive charges when the snake hastraveled through t-he predetermined range from the said anchor device,the pull cable having an effective length corresponding to the saidpredetermined range of travel.

2. An explosive mine clearing snake comprising, 1n combination, anelongated container for explosive charges, the container being composedof complemental upper and lower longitudinally corrugated segmentsassembled in end-to-end relation with overlapping end portions and inopposition to each other with upper and lower apices'of the saidcorrugations in registry, each segment including a plurality ofcorrugated sections detachably united to its adjoining section at theoverlapping end portions, and defining explosive-retaining channelsextending through the said sections, explosive charges in the saidchannels, rocket-propulsion means mounted on the container forwardlythereof, means for firing the rocket propulsion means, and a ringassembly for the explosive charges mounted on the container rearwardlythereof and including detonating means for the explosive charges, ananchor, and a pull-out firing cable connected to .the detonating meansand to the anchor for firing the explosive charges responsively to thesnake reaching the predetermined range.

3. An explosive mine clearing snake comprising, in combination, anelongated container for explosive charges,

Vthe container being composed of complemental opposing means for unitingthe sections through the overlapping endY portions, explosive chargesmounted in the said troughs of the corrugated sections, rocketpropulsion means mounted on the container forwardly thereof, a

fuse for firing the rocket propulsion means, and a firing assembly forthe explosive charges mounted on the container rearwardly thereof,including detonating means for the charges including a fuse for the saidcharges, an anchor, and a pull-out firing cable -connected to the fuseand to the anchor and becoming effective for firing the fuse andexplosive charges responsively to the snake reaching the said selectedrange from the anchor.

4. An explosive mine clearing snake comprising, in combination, anelongated container for explosive charges, the container being composedof complemental, opposing upper and lower longitudinally corrugatedsegments having -crests and channels of the said corrugations inregistry, each segment including a plurality of corrugated sectionshaving overlapping end portions, means for uniting the sections throughthe overlapping portions, explosive charges mounted in the said channelsof the corrugated sections, a rocket motor mounted on the containerforwardly thereof, a time fuse for firing the rocket motor, a fuselighter attached to the time fuse, a firing assembly for the explosivecharges mounted on the container rearwardly thereof and including fusemeans for the said explosive charges, an anchor, and a pay-out firingcable having a predetermined length connected at one end to the fusemeans and having its opposite end attached to the anchor for detonatingthe fuse means and explosive charges responsively to the snake reachingthe selected range, the said firing cable having an effective lengthcorresponding to the distance of the selected range from the anchor.

5. An explosive device of the type described comprising, in combination,an elongated container for explosive charges, the container beingcomposed of complemental opposing upper and lower longitudinallycorrugated segments assembled with corresponding crests and channels ofthe said corrugations in opposing registry, each segment including aplurality of corrugated sections having overlapping end portions, meansdetachably securing together the said upper and lower segments throughthe overlapping ends of the sections, means for securing explosivecharges in the said channels of the corrugated segments, explosivecharges in the said channels, rocket propulsion means mounted on forwardportions of the container for propelling the device in a selecteddirection and for a predetermined distance of range, means fordetachably securing the rocket motor to the container, a time fuse forfiring the rocket propulsion means, a fuse lighter attached to the timefuse, a firing assembly for the explosive charges mounted on tailportions of the container including detonating means for the explosivecharges, an anchor, and a pull-out firing cable of predetermined lengthconnected at one end to the detonating means for the explosive chargesand also connected at an opposite end to the anchor for firing theexplosive charges when the device travels a predetermined distance ofrange from the said anchor.

. 6. An explosive device of the type described comprising, incombination, an elongated container for explosive charges having headand tail portions, the container being composed of complemental opposingupper and lower longitudinally corrugated segments having correspondingcrests and channels of the corrugations in registery, each segmentincluding a plurality of corrugated sections having overlapping endportions, means detachably securing the said upper and lower sectionsthrough the overlapping end portions of the sections, means'for securingexplosive charges in the said channels of the corrugated sections,rocket propulsion means mounted on the head portions, of the containerfor propelling the device forwardly. in a selected direction and for apredetermined distance of range, means for detachably securing therocketpropulsion means to the container, a timefuse for firing therocket propulsion means, a fuse lighter attached to the time fuse, and afiring assembly for the ex- PlOSiVe charges mounted on the tail portionsof the conaisance tainer including a detonating fuse for the saidcharges, a tiring wire connected to the fuse for detonating the fuse andexplosive charges, an anchor, and a ilexible payout cable connected tothe tiring wire and to the anchor for actuating the tiring wire fordetonating the fuse and the explosive charges responsively to the devicereaching the said predetermined distance of range.

7. An explosive device of the type described comprismg, in combination,an elongated container for explosive charges, the container beingcomposed of complemental opposing upper and lower longitudinallycorrugated segments with corresponding crests and channels of the saidcorrugations in registry, each segment including a plurality ofcorrugated sections having overlapping end portions, means detachablysecuring together the said upper and lower sections through theoverlapping ends of the sections, means for securing explosive chargesin the said channels of the corrugated sections, rocket propulsion meansmounted on forward portions of the container for propelling the deviceforwardly in a selected direction and for a predetermined distance ofrange, means for detachably securing the rocket motor to the container,a time fuse for firing the rocket propulsion means, a fuse lighterattached to the time fuse, and a firing assembly for the explosivecharges mounted on tail portions of the container including a fuse fordetonating the charges, a fuse detonating wire, a xed ground stake, anda ilexible pay-out tiring cable connected to the fuse-detonating wireand to the ixed ground stake for detonating the fuse and the explosivecharges responsively to the device reaching the selected distance ofrange beyond the ground stake.

8. An explosive device of the type described comprising, in combination,an elongated container for explosive charges, the container beingcomposed of complemental opposing upper and lower longitudinallycorrugated segments having corresponding crests and channels of the saidcorrugations in registry, each segment including a plurality ofcorrugated sections having overlapping end portions, means detachablysecuring together the said upper and lower segments through the saidoverlapping end portions, means for securing explosive charges in thesaid channels of the corrugated sections, rocket propulsion meansmounted on forward portions of the container for propelling the devicein a selected direction and for a predetermined distance of range, meansfor detachably securing the rocket propulsion means to the container, atime fuse for ring the rocket propulsion means, a fuse lighter attachedto the time fuse, a tiring assembly for the explosive charges mounted ontail portions of the container and including a housing, a fuse fordetonating the charges, a fuse ignition wire in the housing, a xedground stake, a pay-out detonating cable mounted in the housing andattached to the fuse ignition wire and to the xed stake and having alength corresponding to the said predetermined distance of range fordetonating the fuse and the explosive charges responsively to the devicereaching the said distance, and means xedly mounted on the housing ofthe ring assembly for stabilizing the device during its travel to thesaid selected distance.

9. An explosive device of the type described comprising, in combination,an elongated container defining a housing for explosive charges, thecontainer being composed of complemental opposing upper and lowerlongitudinally corrugated segments assembled ltogether withcorresponding crests and troughs of the said corrugations in registry,each segment including a plurality of corrugated sections havingoverlapping end portions, means detachably securing together the saidupper and lower sections through the overlapping ends of the sections,means for securing explosive charges in the said troughs of thecorrugated sections, rocket propulsion means mounted on forward portionsof the container for propelling the device in a selected direction andfor a predetermined distance of range, means for detachably securing therocket propulsion means to the container, a time fuse for firing therocket propulsion means, a fuse lighter attached to the time fuse, atiring assembly for the explosive charges mounted on tail portions ofthe countainer and including a housing, a detonating fuse for thecharges, a fuse detonating wire positioned in the housing and connectedto the fuse, a xed ground stake, a pay-out detonating cable mounted inthe housing and connected to the detonating wire and to the ground stakefor ring the explosive charges responsively to the device reaching thepredetermined distance of range from the stake, the cable having alength corresponding to the said predetermined distance of range, andstabilizing lin tixedly mounted on the housing of the firing assemblyfor stablizing the device in its path of travel to the said range.

10. An explosive device of the type described comprising, incombination, an elongated container for receiving and housing explosivecharges, the container being composed of complemental opposing upper andlower longitudinally corrugated segments having corresponding crests andchannels of the said corrugations in registry, each segment including aplurality of corrugated sections having overlapping end portions, meansdetachably securing together the said upper and lower segments throughthe said overlapping end portions, means for securing explosive chargesin the said channels of the corrugated sections, rocket propulsion meansmounted on forward portions of the container for propelling the devicein a selected direction, means for detachably securing the rocketpropulsion means to the container, a time fuse for tiring the rocketpropulsion means, a fuse lighter attached to the time fuse, a tiringassembly for the explosive charges mounted on tail portions of thecontainer including a housing, a detonating fuse for the charges, -afuse detonating wire mounted in the housing and connected to thedetonating fuse, a fixed ground stake, a pay-out detonating cableconnected to the detonating wire and to the stake for tiring theexplosive charges responsively to the device reaching a predetermineddistance oi range from the lixed ground stake, a stabilizing lin fixedlymounted on the housing of the tiring assembly for stabilizing thecontainer in its path of travel to the said predetermined distance ofrange, and a rounded nose-piece connected to the container for guidingthe device over obstructions in the pathof travel.

References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,404,440 7/46Holm. 2,509,205 5/50 Bisch 102-22 FOREIGN PATENTS 72,420 9/ 16 Austria.

SAMUEL FEINBERG, Primary Examiner.

SAMUEL BOYD, JAMES L. BREWRINK, ARTHUR M. HORTON, Examiners.

1. AN EXPLOSIVE MINE CLEARING SNAKE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, ANELONGATED CONTAINER FOR EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, THE CONTAINER BEING COMPOSEDOF UPPER AND LOWER LONGITUDINALLY CORRUGATED SEGMENTS OPPOSING EACHOTHER WITH CORRESPONDING CHANNELS IN OPPOSITELY DIRECTED REGISTRY ANDEACH SEGMENT INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF CORRUGATED SECTIONS UNITEDSERIALLY IN END-TO-END RELATION, THE SAID CHANNELS IN THE UNITEDSECTIONS DEFINING EXPLOSIVE-RETAINING CHANNELS, EXPLOSIVE CHARGES IN THECHAMBERS, SELF-PROPULSION MEANS FOR THE SNAKE MOUNTED ON THE CONTAINERFORWARDLY THEREOF, MEANS FOR ENERGIZING THE PROPULSION MEANS, A FIRINGASSEMBLY MOUNTED ON THE CONTAINER REARWARDLY THEREOF AND INCLUDINGDETONATING MEANS FOR THE EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, AN ANCHOR DEVICE, AND A PULLCABLE CONNECTED TO THE DETONATING MEANS FOR THE EXPLOSIVE CHARGES AND TOTHE ANCHORING DEVICE FOR FIRING THE EXPLOSIVE CHARGES WHEN THE SNAKE HASTRAVELED THROUGH THE PREDETERMINED RANGE FROM THE SAID ANCHOR DEVICE,THE PULL CABLE HAVING AN EFFECTIVE LENGTH CORRESPONDING TO THE SAIDPREDETERMINED RANGE OF TRAVEL.